MSF/PHM SA technical brief: Removing intellectual property barriers from COVID19 vaccines and treatment for people in South Africa
We would like to share a tech-brief by the Access Campaign and PHM-SA on removing intellectual property barriers from COVID19 vaccines and treatment for people in South Africa. Emphasising how IP barriers can undermine access to medicines, particularly looking at Moderna’s MRNA vaccine and the recently recommended covid-19 medicine Baracitinib....
For Immediate Release: Joint HJI & PHM Press Release on DoH Special Categories
Below is a joint press release by the HJI and PHM in response to Department of Health’s prioritisation of ‘special groups’ circular of 4 July – and subsequent (6 July) withdrawal. For Immediate Release 7 July 2021 Department of Health’s prioritisation of ‘special groups’ circular of 4 July - and subsequent (6 July) withdrawal In a circular...
Our Statement on Zimbabwe Current Crisis
The People’s Health Movement notes with deep concern the political, economic and social crisis engulfing Zimbabwe whose post-Mugabe leadership have abandoned any pretence of democracy. Hopes for a renewal of the economy based on respect for human rights have been dashed by increasing intolerance of criticism and closing down of civil society...
Press Release Clear evidence for restrictions on public transport exists
The following statement was issued by The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa 30thJune 2020 The College of Public Health Medicine Task Team for evidence-based COVID-19 guidance released a guidance documentary in the epidemic on the 22ndMarch 2020 regarding public transport. The Task Team was established to conduct rapid reviews of key priorities...
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR PRINCIPLED CONTRACTING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE COVID-19 HEALTH RESPONSE, AS WELL AS MORE COORDINATION AND TRANSPARENCY
The undersigned civil society organisations welcome the measures put in place by government to combat the spread of COVID-19. The nationwide screening, testing and contact tracing programmes are to be commended. We applaud the Department of Health (DOH) for developing the legislative and regulatory frameworks necessary to provide equitable access...
It is urgent to integrate SA’s private and public healthcare systems now
The following article was written by three members of our steering committee who are Dr Lydia Cairncross, Dr Louis Reynolds, Prof Leslie London together with Russell Rensburg from RHAP. The article was published online by Daily Maverick. As we approach the probable end of the lockdown in its current form, epidemiologists and public health...
The Coronavirus crisis and the struggle for health
The article below was written by our steering commitee member Dr Louis Reynolds, it was published online by the Amandla Media. The Coronavirus crisis and the struggle for health The COVID-19 crisis in South Africa has resulted in welcome signs that our government, at last, is becoming serious about actually governing the country. It acted early...
COVID-19: We need a People-led not Army-enforced Lockdown
The following article was written Dr Lydia Cairncross and Kelly Gillespie. It was published online by the Spotlight During South Africa’s 21-day lockdown we have started to see worrying scenes of police and army officers beating and harassing citizens in the streets. For some this is reminiscent of the days of the State of Emergency under the...
A Programme of Action in the time of Covid-19 – a call for social solidarity
The People's Health Movement South Africa is among the 100 Civic Organisations, trade unions, faith-based organisations, organisations of informal workers and community-based organisations who endorsed the Programme of Action in the time of COVID-19 - A call for solidarity in South Africa. We, as civic organisations, trade unions, organisations...
COVID-19 in South Africa: voices from the community
Public Meeting at Observatory, Cape Town. Saturday, 14 March 202 The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic will have its major impact on working class people in crowded periurban settlements where public health measures to slow it down and “flatten the curve” are difficult to practice, and where the public health system is already unable to cope...